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Chick-fil-A to be denied zoning permit in Chicago

Revoltingest

Pragmatic Libertarian
Premium Member
It is a good move. Bigots need to be taught a lesson.
When you allow government the authority to be oppressive to those you don't like,
then you also give them the authority to do the same to you. Regimes change.
 
I agree completely. I hope that more mayors follow suit as well.

You support banning businesses that don't agree with your political views?

What if a conservative mayor wanted to ban a franchise with leftist views from the city? Do you support that as well, or do you only support discriminating against those who disagree with you?
 

Vinayaka

devotee
Premium Member
We encounter bigotry every day, whether we know it or not. Many bigots just aren't so open about it. At least you know where this company stands, and can boycott accordingly. My family went on a hot air balloon ride one day, and the owner/pilot guy got into a ridiculous racial rant once they got in the air and were over a diverse part of town. He didn't advertise as "Racially Bigotted hot Air Balloon Rides". So that clerk, that company, the mailman, who knows, lots of politicians, the doctor, the landlord. It's just that most people are smart enough to shut up about it.
 

Revoltingest

Pragmatic Libertarian
Premium Member
It isn't oppressive to fight against bigotry.
Au contraire...it certainly can be, if the response is oppressive in its own way. Government is a ham fisted instrument, given to over-reacting.
And there is variability, as leaders come & go. This is why we have an enduring body of law, ultimately governed & limited by the federal & state
constitutions. If you give local authorities the ability to determine what constitutes bigotry, & fight it by any illegal means they deem appropriate,
then you might find unexpected consequences. Denying building permits is one level. Could police also beat Chick-fil-A employees? Could the fire
dept refuse to put out fires there? Could the City cut off water? Now imagine that the city elects new leaders.....could they decide that Zionism is
bigotry, & refuse construction of temples? Could Judaism be outlawed?

It's easy for the left & right to imagine solving society's problems by giving government great power to enforce values, either "progressive"
or "conservative". But remember that competence & integrity are fleeting qualities in public servants, & that political winds shift. So this
great power which is intended to be used for you will eventually be used against you.
 

Vinayaka

devotee
Premium Member
One just has to look around the world at repressive regimes to realise the wisdom in Revoltingest's words. But the sneakier guys hide it quite well, under such things as 'tighter immigration laws' , 'country defense' or many other made up ideas than disguise the real message. I have a friend who may yet get deported for 'inadequate English' even though he doesn't need English for his job (Hindu priest) and this is Canuckistan. So I can't imagine what goes on in other countries. Despite a few other things about Uncle Sam's mess, I love and admire the ideas of freedom there.
 

Chisti

Active Member
Au contraire...it certainly can be, if the response is oppressive in its own way. Government is a ham fisted instrument, given to over-reacting.
And there is variability, as leaders come & go. This is why we have an enduring body of law, ultimately governed & limited by the federal & state
constitutions. If you give local authorities the ability to determine what constitutes bigotry, & fight it by any illegal means they deem appropriate,
then you might find unexpected consequences. Denying building permits is one level. Could police also beat Chick-fil-A employees? Could the fire
dept refuse to put out fires there? Could the City cut off water? Now imagine that the city elects new leaders.....could they decide that Zionism is
bigotry, & refuse construction of temples? Could Judaism be outlawed?

It's easy for the left & right to imagine solving society's problems by giving government great power to enforce values, either "progressive"
or "conservative". But remember that competence & integrity are fleeting qualities in public servants, & that political winds shift. So this
great power which is intended to be used for you will eventually be used against you.

Point noted, but someone has to make laws to ensure proper functioning of society, to ensure that nobody is discriminated against, and so on.
 

Revoltingest

Pragmatic Libertarian
Premium Member
Point noted, but someone has to make laws to ensure proper functioning of society, to ensure that nobody is discriminated against, and so on.
People will be discriminated against no matter what laws are enacted (eg, intelligence, productivity, appearance, ability to pay).
So we pick categories which we will protect, & concentrate on those. If a business violates the law, then government may impose sanctions.
But if an owner simply expresses religious views which offend those of other faiths, I argue that government is best kept out of the matter.
 

Chisti

Active Member
People will be discriminated against no matter what laws are enacted (eg, intelligence, productivity, appearance, ability to pay).
So we pick categories which we will protect, & concentrate on those. If a business violates the law, then government may impose sanctions.
But if an owner simply expresses religious views which offend those of other faiths, I argue that government is best kept out of the matter.

That may be your view. I disagree. I want heavy govt. involvement, because if left to themselves the masses are never going to choose progressive ideals. It is simple human psychology - if a guy at the top does something, people will follow.
 
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